Endless Sky: Lessons from alien sociology

From Endless Sky: link to original post

Sociologists studying the Quarg and other alien civilizations have noted that the early development of most sentient species follows the same basic pattern, where periods of unsustainable growth alternate with periods of conflict or collapse. This expansionary phase typically ends in a crisis which, if successfully navigated, leads to a period of stability - but also to stagnation. When low-tier sentient species are in these stages of development, their models of government, systems of values, and economic stratification are remarkably similar despite differences in genetics, culture, and cognition.